July 11, 2024 – Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is pleased to announce that our new Executive Director is Anuradha Dugal. Anuradha is a powerhouse in the gender-based violence sector and a longtime friend of WSC.

Anuradha has over 25 years of experience working to support women, children, and gender-diverse people fleeing violence. Anuradha comes to WSC from nearly 17 years with the Canadian Women’s Foundation, most recently as Vice President of Community Initiatives. Prior to joining the Foundation, Anuradha worked in youth violence prevention programs in Quebec and on the World March of Women, a transnational grassroots initiative launched by the Fédération des femmes du Quebec.

“We are delighted to welcome Anuradha to the team at Women’s Shelters Canada,” says Mathilde Trou, Secretary of the Board of Directors. “We are confident that she will lead the organization to great things as it continues to work to end violence against women across the country.”

Anuradha is very involved in social issues and is currently a Director of the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability and a member of the South Asian Women’s Community Centre of Montreal. She is the former President of the Conseil des Montréalaises, appointed by the municipal council of Montreal and a former board member of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. She was also a member of the federal Advisory Council for the Strategy on Gender-Based Violence.

Anuradha is an immigrant who lives and works in Tiohtià:ke / Montreal, the traditional unceded territory of the Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawks), an area that has long been a place for meeting and exchange for many Nations. She is supported by her partner and three sons – all feminists and activists in their own ways.

“Ending  violence against women and gender-based violence is nothing short of the highest goal we can reach to transform Canada,” says Anuradha. “This is achievable through Women’s Shelters Canada coordinating national action. I’m proud to lead this organization in its next phase, working with shelters, associations, and partners who dedicate all they have to this lifesaving work.”

The WSC team looks forward to welcoming Anuradha in August!